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The movement to stop prosecuting subway fare-beaters, announced recently by the Manhattan district attorney and soon to be adopted in Brooklyn, must be expanded citywide, public defenders argue.

The Legal Aid Society, the Bronx Defenders, Queens Law Associates and other groups have joined efforts to pressure prosecutors in Queens and the Bronx to get onboard with the cause, which advocates say will help unclog the courts.

“Fare evasion is the ultimate crime of poverty in New York City, yet the Queens and Bronx district attorneys continue to prosecute our clients and others for it,” Tina Luongo, head of Legal Aid’s criminal practice, said in a statement

I wonder if this logic should be applied to burglary and armed robbery ?

The working poor can get free tickets in most cities if they are getting any kind of assistance, even just basic help like SNAP or Medicaid without a cash stipend. Some vocational assistance programs also help with the tickets.